Shikhar Dhawan has been ruled out of India's third and final Test in Indore from October 8 due to a fractured thumb. BCCI has named batsman Karun Nair as his replacement.

"A very minor fracture has occurred and he has been recommended 15 days rest, which effectively rules him out of the next Test," said India's media manager after India's comprehensive victory.

"Selectors have been informed about his status," he added.

On Sunday, Dhawan took blows on his bottom hand thumb twice with the ball rising awkwardly. He survived some anxious moments, managing to open his account after 14 balls, and the swollen thumb had to be taped. He was soon rushed to a city hospital for X-ray.

He did not take the field on Monday when New Zealand were batting in the second innings. Consequently, Gautam Gambhir, who had replaced Lokesh Rahul before the second match in Kolkata, could play his first Test in two years.

Dhawan did not make the playing XI in Kanpur in India's 500th Test, where the team management opted to go in with Murali Vijay and Rahul as their preferred openers.

Dhawan has scored only one half-century in his last 14 Test innings since back-to-back hundreds against Bangladesh and Sri Lanka over a year ago.

Gambhir, who last played for India in the Oval Test against England, has 4046 runs in 56 matches and has hit nine hundreds. His experience will be key as India eye a whitewash over the Black Caps.